Joseph and Feiss Clothcraft Shops, The
Also known as: Hugo Boss USA
Why it's listed
Just west of downtown Cleveland, this seven-acre site holds the former Clothcraft clothing factory of the Joseph & Feiss Company. The oldest part is the administration building, begun in 1900 and expanded by 1904 into a U-shaped plan of brick and sandstone with Gothic Revival touches, designed by Lehman & Schmitt. A five-story brick water tower was added in 1907. In 1920-21 the company built a four-story brick and reinforced concrete warehouse, designed by Lockwood, Greene & Co, with corner towers, a crenellated parapet and sandstone detailing. A raised railroad spur and eight brick fence piers from 1933 also survive. The company became known for progressive labor practices under Richard Feiss and Mary Gilson, including employee testing, English classes, a nursery, a library branch and employee committees. Today the buildings are vacant. The administration building was mothballed after a fire and moisture damage, and the warehouse interior has also suffered water damage.
Significance in brief: The complex housed the Joseph & Feiss Company, maker of Clothcraft clothing, which was known for progressive scientific management and employee welfare programs led by Richard Feiss and Mary Gilson. The buildings also show industrial design from Lehman & Schmitt and Lockwood, Greene & Co. The warehouse is a Germanic Gothic style daylight factory with Neo-Classical and Art Deco influences.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 10000873, listed October 28, 2010. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2149 W 53rd St, Cleveland |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | October 28, 2010 |
| Reference number | 10000873 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Lehman & Schmitt, Architects (administration building and water tower); Lockwood, Greene & Co, Engineers (warehouse) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals (Gothic Revival, with Neo-Classical and Art Deco influences) |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Social History, European |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Mothballed and in tenuous condition due to fire and moisture infiltration; listed as vacant and not in use. |
| Acreage | 6.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.47330, -81.72170 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 10000873.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.